The recent rain and snow that has knocked the country saw us keeping our stck close to the home for shelter and ease of feeding.It was a relief to be able to put horses where it suited us and here is a picture our stallion Zibaq Khan sharing his dinner with Quasim, his son and Zeal, our oldest equine resident.

Almost half way through 2013. It was a great Summer and has been a warm Autumn.Ill health has meant that the youngsters have not had the work they would. However, that that the health is better, it is wonderful to work with them and watch them learn and develope.

What a pitiful Summer we have had.The Autumn looks as though it is warmer and sunnier.

I have weaned Sunny Brae Jasmine's colt by Zibaq Khan, and he (Quasim) is being babysat by the perennial Zeal .

Quasim continues to impress me with his kind nature. He also looks as if he will be taller than his counterparts.Zeal has reminded me of her real worth these last few weeks. She has been called upon to reprise her role as "anchor " horse for Zeuxis as he has been introduced to the saddle and the wonders of the great world that awaits him off the property. At 24 years of age Zeal lives up to her name. She is a match for any smart Alec youngster, moving sideways and backwards as fast as she moves forward, she has got the measure of Quasim and Zeuxis, who have both learned that "reds rule" and life is easier if you just do what you are asked to do.Meanwhile, back at the paddock, Zhenya is growing and turning into a worthy representative of both her parents.

We have been playing catch up these last couple of weeks. For the first time in a long while we have traveled away from the farm and visited friends with horses.

It was particularly gratifying to visit Simon Green and his lovely family of Canterbury and be re-united with Zircon. Simon had a treat in store for me, he had organized to go for a ride along the banks of the Ashley river.

It was such a shame that a lack of time precluded a longer ride. However, it was good to be back in the saddle and even more special to ride Zircon in his home environment with the people that love him.

I feel very fortunate to have horses I have bred so loved and appreciated by their owners.No breeder could want for more for their stock..

We also had the pleasure of meeting the filly Sofie. Now a yearling, Sofie was the result of mating the Appaloosa mare Missy with Quassa. Her breeder, Denise has done a very good job of educating Sofie. It was a joy to see them together.

We thoroughly enjoyed visiting Anazeh Arabians. Virginia Dean has gone to a lot of work to produce a band of mares with special pedigrees. These mares are to be crossed by her splendid Champion stallion, Sooli'amon.

"All my life’s a circle", so sang the late, Harry Chapin. I have been reminded of his lyrics recently, as I reflect on the year that has almost drawn to a close.

On the 9th of February, we bade a sad and reluctant farewell to our beloved Quassa (Desert Shadow imp UK x Houllain).He was first and foremost, a wonderful friend. He gave us so many wonderful times to cherish. No horse is perfect and I knew the "The Boy" was no exception to that rule. Still. I can state without any fear of contradiction that his temperament was FLAWLESS.

All those who have lost a horse that they hold dear, will understand the body blow we have suffered. It has been a time of mixed emotions, to receive news of this season’s foals and know they will be the last. So far, the count is two foals, fillies, a partbred and a purebred.

Later in the year Mary Brosnahan of Sunny Stud, so generously gifted us the Czarak (Cairo exp AU x Forina) daughter and Mary’s very own favourite mare, Sunny Brae Jasmine.We had leased Jasmine in 2010. So many old bloodlines in one mare and many of the founding studs represented in one horse: Dellmount, Holly Farm, Malton, South Pacific and of course, Sunny Brae.Out of Dellmount Jamil, Jasmine has the bay colouring and stamp of her maternal grandsire Touch Of Magic, one of my favourite sires. Mary felt that her days of breeding Arabians had drawn to a close and she wanted me to have Jasmine. It was a gesture that left me feeling privileged, yet sad at the thought of another chapter in the story of the Arabian horse in New Zealand coming to a close. Jasmine was put to Zibaq Khan (Quassa x Zhola) because it was my belief that Zibaq Khan deserved to have a chance to prove himself as a sire. The foal that this mating has produced is a strapping chestnut colt, which we have named Quasim, which is Arabic for distinguished individual.Which brings me to another circle. Back in 1984, I purchased my very first Arabian from Malton Arabians. Zest (Waimeha Marendo x Zillain) was to be our foundation mare. In due course she returned to Malton to be bred to Touch Of Magic imp AU (Risheem x Sefra). Hence the bay mare Zellah came to be.Later still, we leased the mare Houllain (Houssain imp AU x Zillah exp AU) from Helena Patchett-Carter and bred by Ernie and Barbara Wilson of Malton stud, and put her to Desert Shadow (Desert King x Autumn Shadow) imported by Leith and Ngaire Bevins of South Pacific stud. The resultant foal was, as hoped, a colt, which we named Quassa.

We often joked that our tiny stud was really Malton North. So when Malton Nahzing (Roscommon Nassah x Zing – Touch Of Magic* x Zillain) produced a grey colt called Malton Zachary in 2006 to Zibaq Khan, the bloodline had gone full circle.

These details were brought to the fore when news filtered through in October about Malton Zachary’s success under saddle at recent shows in Otago. The Wilson’s are so proud of Zach and it is a poignant note that Zachary was the last purebred foal to be bred by Malton stud. Another chapter has drawn to a close.

When I was a teenager, I attached myself to a girl at school who owned A HORSE! Such was my desperation to be near horses, I was content to walk beside this girl as she rode around the streets of Oamaru.

She took riding lessons from a local woman and I would lurk nearby and try to absorb the instructor’s teachings. That was over fourty years ago. I recalled those times this week to the very same instructor, Joy Ludemann. She smiled at the memory. Joy and I were sharing a quiet moment in the paddock with Rosie an Anglo daughter of Quassa and a full sister to Louie.

Louie lives in Southland and his owner was so pleased with him she had purchased Rosie, sight unseen. With Rosie’s departure to Southland Joy Ludemann has called an end to her involvement with horses. All these endings would get me down if I were to loose sight of the fact that it is the circle of life and no amount of pining will serve any purpose.Instead I have to be grateful that I have had the privilege to know so many good people, who have bred good horses, and been good friends, to me.Their example of encouraging individuals who show an interest in the breed has made a profound impression on me. It is to the next generation of breeders that I choose to dwell on.Back to February: his time February the 5th. An Arabian Derivative mare named Aura Izzah (Quassa x Cool Vance) owned by Jill McCarthy and bred by Kylie Pape, worked her winning way through the classes at the South Island Arabian Championships to emerge as Supreme Champion Derivative (Halter), Open Ridden Derivative over 148cm, Derivative Paced and Mannered Champion and Supreme Champion Ridden Arabian.These results culminated in Aura Izzah and Jill taking out the High Point Arabian of Show title and being awarded the Melissa Taylor Memorial Trophy.This success augurs well for a new breeder and perhaps a glimpse of things to come?For now, we await the arrival of the last purebred foal by Quassa. The dam of which is our own Zhola (Arabesque Crystal Flame imp AU x Zest) who has been paired with Quassa for all of her eight foals.

We rest our stud’s future on the shoulders of our junior stallion Zibaq Khan and anticipate those foals yet to arrive this season and receive mares to him. One of the mares due to visit was in fact, bred by a breeder who fostered my interest in Arabians and encouraged by art . The very first foal to be born at our stud was owned and bred by this breeder,the one and only, Helena Patchet-Carter. All my life’s circle.

Since the sale of Zircon to a nice fellow in Canterbury, I have had time to bring Zircon's younger sister Zareth-Shahar into the yard for some education.This week Zari has been introduced to wearing a rug and having a saddle put on. She has not blinked an eye about any of it. But that does not mean that I will take her lightly. She deserves a thorough education and she shall get one.

This is the first post for 2010 and I am determinded to keep this blog up to date. Soooo: yesterday, I had the chance to visit Taieri Hore at her place at Kurow, North Otago.

Taieri has used Quassa over her mares in the past, but bought our purebred gelding Zikher Bay Zikh (Quassa x Zeal) from his previous owner last year and gave Zeke another life and chance to shine. Zeke's name means self Assured in Yiddish and he is certainly that.

I enjoyed catching up with Zeke yesterday and it is great knowing that he has gone from one good home to another. We wish Taieri every success with Zele, as they set about their endurance endeavours.

Out on the trail again today. Took Zeal and Zircon along to the entrance of the Ostler Vineyard. This is where I work and at present, Roy Stringer is contructing the entrance to match the fabulous dry stone wall that he has built. Roy and I had a chit chat and then Roy took this photo of us. Zircon is going well and Zeal is being ridden less and less, while I ride Zircon more and more.